Expert EFL predictions and football betting tips from Dan Childs

Free football tips, best bets, predictions and expert accumulator advice for Saturday's EFL matches.

When to bet

Kick-offs from 1pm Saturday

Best bets

Cambridge
3pts 11-10 Hills

Salford
3pts 4-5Betfred, Hills

Charlton draw no bet
2pts 11-8 Betfred

Southend or draw double chance
3pts 4-5Betfred

Cambridge v Walsall

Cambridge's six-week spell as League Two leaders came to an end with a 1-0 loss at home to Scunthorpe on Tuesday but there wasn't much wrong with their performance – they won the shot count 17 to two – and a positive response looks likely when they face Walsall at the Abbey Stadium.

One of the key influences behind Cambridge's prominent position in the fourth-tier promotion race is veteran creative midfielder Wes Hoolahan.

It is more than three years since Hoolahan finished his international career with Ireland but he is still enjoying club football and has contributed four goals and five assists this season.

Hoolahan has to be carefully managed by Cambridge manager Mark Bonner and is often rested for midweek matches.

But Bonner must be tempted to use the 37-year-old as often as possible because Hoolahan's last ten appearances have featured seven wins and three draws.

A little extra creativity and composure would probably have made the difference against Scunthorpe and could give Cambridge the edge over Walsall, who appear out of playoff contention.

The Saddlers have picked up just two points from five games under Brian Dutton, who was installed as manager until the end of the season after Darrell Clarke's surprise switch to Port Vale.

In fairness to Dutton, Walsall had been struggling long before his appointment.

The Midlands outfit have taken eight points from 12 games since Christmas and another defeat looks likely.

Salford v Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe rode their luck to claim a 1-0 success at Cambridge on Tuesday but they have suffered a a few key injuries over the last week and could come crashing back down with a loss to Salford at Moor Lane.

League Two survival looks likely for Scunny, who have won five of their last seven matches to open up a 12-point gap to the drop zone.

But they have to squeeze in 16 more games in a shade over two months and manager Neil Cox's options are stretched with centre-forward Ryan Loft doubtful due to a hamstring problem and centre-backs George Taft and Manny Onariase ruled out with injuries sustained in last Saturday's 2-0 loss at home to Cheltenham.

The hectic schedule has been a challenge for almost every team but Salford's strong squad could give them an advantage over others as they look to maintain their promotion push.

Richie Wellens' side won 1-0 at home to Port Vale on Tuesday – extending the only unbeaten home record in the top four divisions to 16 games – and they should collect three points against the Iron.

Oxford v Charlton

Charlton do not have much room for error if they are going to mount a late push towards the League One playoff places but they can secure an important victory over promotion rivals Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.

Lee Bowyer fare better on their travels and increased their tally of away wins to nine with a 1-0 success at Wigan on Tuesday.

That was enough to lift them one point above Oxford, who slipped to tenth despite a 0-0 draw at home to leaders Peterborough.

Oxford's point came at a cost with Elliott Lee and Sam Long joining James Henry, John Mousinho, Sam Winnall and Marcus McGuane on the sidelines.

The injuries are a hammer blow for Oxford manager Karl Robinson, who favoured quality over quantity when it came to assembling his squad.

Robinson's depleted side are six points outside the top six and may struggle to sustain a serious promotion challenge.

Oldham v Southend

League Two strugglers Southend were consigned to a season-long struggle against the drop after losing 11 of their opening 14 games but they have been much-improved in recent months and can pick up at least a point against Oldham at Boundary Park.

The Shrimpers were far from disgraced during a 1-0 loss at highflying Cheltenham on Tuesday and can achieve a better result against the Latics, who have lost 11 of 16 home league games this season.

Accumulator

Doncaster 21-20, Sunderland 2-5, Cheltenham 3-4, Tranmere 19-20

Click here to add Dan Childs's accumulator to your William Hill betslip

First scorer

Arnaut Danjuma Preston v Bournemouth
at 7-1 Hills

It has been a stop-start campaign for the Bournemouth attacker, who has had to contend with a few fitness issues, but he has undoubted quality and can build on his winning goal in last Saturday's 1-0 success at home to Watford.

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